Development of real-time multimodal OCT with manual operation capabilities and emergence of its applications in clinical practice

We report realizations of OCT combining conventional structural imaging, polarization-sensitive one, as well as allowing for real-time angiographic, elastographic and lymphangiographic modalities with manual-operation capabilities. Among the main features of the developed device one can point out on-flight imaging of microvascular network with feedback for clinicians when performing angiography; in elastography - robust "vector" method of interframe phasevariation gradient estimation and stiffness quantification using reference silicone layers; lymphangiography utilizing pixel statistics beyond conventional amplitude thresholding, etc. These capabilities are ensured by the developed optical schemes of the probe, signal receiving parts, as well as computationally efficient signal processing methods. Examples of the developed device usage in preclinical and clinical applications are discussed (efficient criteria for PDT success; angiographic monitoring of complications during radiotherapy; elastographic classification of tumor and non-tumor regions; detailed imaging of fairly rapid transient and slowly varying deformations in laser-assisted reshaping of collagenous tissues; lymphangiography-based diagnostics in gynecology; otolaryngologic applications for diagnosing inner ear diseases, etc.)